SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – School board members in San Francisco would be in line for a regular pay check under a measure that’s headed for the ballot. As it is now, school board members in San Francisco are paid a yearly stipend of $6,000. But if voters agree, they could get a major pay raise, up to half the annual salary of a beginning teacher, or about $25,000 a year.

KCBS’ Barbara Taylor Reports:

Supervisor Jane Kim, who previously sat on the school board, supports the ballot measure.

”I don’t think any of us say that we should be volunteers,” said Kim. “To serve our city is a huge sacrifice that not many of us are able to do without getting paid.”

However, Supervisor Mark Farrell said the school district is already short on cash, and having to pay for more salaries would only compound the problem.

”The simple fact is, from my point of view, that this year is the wrong time to be bringing this up,” said Farrell. “We are slashing budgets, and teachers are paying for pencils out of their own pockets.”

Opponents say it’s a slippery slope that will lead to salaries for the community college board and city commissioners. This measure, if passed, doesn’t mandate any action, but would give school board members the power to give themselves a pay raise.

One Comment

of course they want a raise…..doesn’t anyone? why dont they have some of the money from other top officials………..aren’t they making over 6 figures!! there are not even enough money to educate our kids. how sad our society has became!

is this what Ms. Kim has been comtemplating since she took the plunge and became my District Supervisor? i don’t agree with it at all. if you want to be a good citizen and volunteer, bravo! if you want to get paid for your efforts, get in line. this will go down flaming in the next election unless the stupes withdrew it!

So glad I moved out of San Frnacisco last week. Am so tired of paying for these liberal progressive agenda. They just can’t help themselves. Tax 7 fee & give raises & keep spending. This City has become a joke, cater to the homeless & non-profit, but could careless about there actual citizens living here!!!

As a SF parent with a child attending a public high school, I would vote against such a pay raise. To me much of the school board’s actions have been superfluous. They’ve never really paid heed to the parents or students. Be gone. Involved parents have done a better job of making sure teachers have the tools to educate our children. Involved parents have done a better job of making sure the teachers are accountable. You want pay raises while laying off teachers and other school employees? Clueless, people. Clueless.

Well, it will be up to the voters, but I personally don’t agree with it. It is not the time to be asking for a raise as much as a a beginning teacher’s salary, especially since the board probably makes a lot already. Money is tight right now and the district should use all available funds to keep things running, not to contribute it towards some hefty raise for the board officials.